Coming Attractions in 2014

SEE...

"Elephant Graveyard" by George Brandt (Performed at Nimbus Theater in Minneapolis)

 A Circus Variety show weekend tour in WI!

 Clown Workshop in Minneapolis!

 The return to Circus World Museum --UNDER THE BIG TOP!

 Another week teaching at Mooseburger Clown Arts Camp!

 Minnesota Renaissance Festival!

 Possible gigs with Zany Waiters across the Midwest!

 Life is picking up again and I'm signing back in. Hello, Skoy Falls... It's been a while. Much has happened! Good and bad. For now, I leave you with the above tease.
 Onward and upward!

Sometimes.

To get right to the point, my relationship ended with Lauren. I apologize for having to read through another break-up vent --so, I'll make that quick! It happened, it will continue to hurt, life goes on.

Sometimes we lose our comforts and ways in which we've settled. When that happens we are faced with ourselves in our new-found "lonely times." These are the times when we really take a good look --as if a painter steps back to see how things are coming along, if there is progress, or if the work is pleasant from the eyes of a viewer...

I haven't been single in a long time, and now that I am, I am surrounded by me and me alone. Here's what I've kept true:

1. Clowning, Acting, Performing, Comedy --these are still the epicenter of my passion.

2. I get distracted easily and lose sight of family --as well as creative drive. I've put off time with people that I really love and projects I care deeply about.

3. I don't like being alone. (But, who does!?)

4. Even though I work here and there, I still view myself as unemployed... That scares me.

5. I really miss the circus.

6. Beards accomplish nothing.

7. I am thankful for my troublesome spazz of a dog.

8. I have a tendency to be lazy...

9. If I didn't have a ukulele I would be in much worse shape. Music is therapeutic!

10. I am a romantic, which makes these times harder than they could be.

11. I am a surprisingly decent playwright and song writer!

It's a blessing in disguise. I needed to step away and really look at myself; to evaluate, to wake up, to write, plan, and reconnect. I am coming back --and in good time! This summer is going to fabulous and hard all at the same time. I will be in a production of "Noises Off!" at the Jungle Theater in Minneapolis, in June and July. I will be teaching at Mooseburger Clown Camp in August; and I will be performing again out at Renaissance Festival. Also, I plan on going out and doing a lot of street performing in the cities. Things are moving and I still have my youth. I always promise that I will write again soon, but I don't want to say that.
Until next time, don't be afraid to look at yourself and remind yourself of who you are and what you need. Life is short.

For now, I will leave you all with a phrase from circus life...

"See you down the road!"

-Neal

Summer 2011: Part 1

It has been a whirlwind summer here in Baraboo, Wisconsin.
Another year at the illustrious and stationary CIRCUS WORLD MUSEUM! The cast this year is really great and very talented. I've had a WONDERFUL time alongside these fantastic new and old faces.

I've joined comedic forces with Greg Parks to provide --not one, but TWO clowns on the site this year. It's been a great opportunity, learning experience, and tons of fun to boot. I haven't worked with a clown partner since being on Ringling, so it has been refreshing and, as said before, a neat learning experience. --With this clown partner came a more relaxed schedule out here and DAYS OFF!!! --Most of which were spent working in other places (The Jungle Theater in "Next Fall, and Mooseburger Clown Arts Camp.) Money's money and you've gotta get it while and when you can; in the entertainment buisness. Work is rarely steady and money is hard to save. However, this is a truth I had learned prior to commiting myself to life and a career in the performing arts... Who know's if I will EVER again feel the pleasure of having insurance and other work bennefits...

After the season is over, I have a few gigs lined up here and there --one of which was finalized this morning. I will be returning to The Minnesota Renaissance Festival for my 5th year out there! Some insane part of my being LOVES the rough and tumble life of a street performer... It's such good experience and improv training --not to mention I will be working alongside some other incredibly talented people out there too!

The relationship world is surprisingly content --and this summer has only had some minor bumps. Lauren is a fantastic girl who is self aware, patient, and understanding. She also keeps me motivated and is a great listener. She's the apple of my eye and everything I need in a relationship. The summer is almost over and I can look forward to seeing her again on a semi-regular basis.

I will be writing more in the near future --in better detail, but for now I must be going down for the second circus show (My last for the day)....

Until later...
Thanks for reading!

The journey continues...

So...

I completed classes at Anoka Ramsey to graduated there with an Associates in Fine Arts -Theater degree. HOORAY to that! It was a great 3 years or less. ONCE finished with that I went on an auditioning spree for commercials and theater. I was granted and BLESSED a role in a professional theater play, "Next Fall" by Geoffrey Nauffts.

HERE'S THE LINK for those that are interested/want to come...

http://www.jungletheater.com/season2011/nextfall.html


A note on the trailer --I know I look awkward and out of place, it was an off day... and that's just where I was living at that point in the rehearsal process. I'm doing better now. In the ring, I feel like I can hold my own, on a stage I feel like it can be hit or miss. That's the beauty of being an insecure artist...

I am dating a chick that I am head over heels for; the lovely Miss Lauren Haven. (Pictures to come) We have a lot of fun, we're understanding of each other, and I haven't felt this secure in a relationship in a long time. HOORAY FOR THAT!

Another bit of news: I will be RETURNING to CIRCUS WORLD MUSEUM for another WONDERFUL summer full of the sights, sounds, laughter, and drama of CIRCUS!
Joining me will be Greg Parks --former blue show clown and ALL-AROUND COOL DUDE! Will we be Steve and Ryan? No. We'll be Neal And Greg and we'll make it work for the summer.

Another project in coming up this summer will be going back to Mooseburger Clown Camp to teach for a second year! What a joy, thrill, and honor it is to be on an incredible staff of folks I idolized growing up! --I will also be helping out with FunnyBones Productions teaching at a circus camp in Baraboo too! (I'm totally making up for a summer off of clowning! No complaints! ...-yet!)

Life is good right now and I'm trying to take it all in stride (as anyone could.) I totally feel like I AM working --which isn't a bad thing. I am rehearsing hard and meticulously for the show in Minneapolis (getting my legs for the professional stage) and I will be UBER busy this summer with lots of projects... The problem is... what's going to happen in the fall???? Time will tell --and I surge on. Auditions, moving out of the house, a steady job... lots of plans lay ahead, but I must stay focused on the journey. I've got a lot of roses to smell until then.

I'm back on Blogger! The summer is coming and spring is here! I am back and better than ever. CHEERS to what's to come! Thank you, readers, for your patients.

ONWARD!

-Neal

Test...test...

Well, folks, I'm back to school again and life is-a-movin'.

This will be my last semester at Anoka Ramsey Community College --and I will be leaving with an AFA-Theater degree! HOORAH!

TONS has happened since the last downer of a posting.

I did not hang myself, and I will live.

Some things are good to spill your guts about on the world-wide-web, but I'll save that for a more personal note.

I am now an "Occassionally Working Actor!" I have 2 of the best agencies in the twin cities working with me. -I also have started auditioning at professional (paying) theaters. The transition into the bitch of a "real life" has begun.

As far as clowning goes, I taught at Mooseburger Clown camp this past summer and had an absolute BLAST! I also worked at a great fundraiser at the end of the summer --and have been asked to be a clowning instructor for my college's acting class! --PAID! There might be some possible upcoming gigs --which will be posted upon when the time comes.

I also wrote, directed, produced, and acted in the Minnesota Fringe Festival! It was a great, and TOUGH, learning experience. The show was set in a sanitarium and revolved around the patients and staff and the theories of what exactly is "sane" and "functionable." The cast was great and the reviews were surprisingly positive!

Currently I am working on my final production at AR; "Harvey." Which can relate a bit to the show I worked on this summer. COME AND SEE IT!

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival was a phenominal experience --yet again-- and it was great to be back in an open air setting -doing street performing. This was a great year in which I got back in touch with the reasons I do fest, AND to get in touch with the cast --who were very complementary this year. It truly is a great feeling when you feel like you are doing the right thing --and you belong somewhere...

The question now is... do I belong here on blogspot? We shall see. I am coming back and avoiding the lazy! We'll see how long this lasts...

Thanks for letting me play catch up!

-Neal

6/20/2010

Heart Broken
My fault
nothing new...

Happy Yet Paniced

Okay.
Now that I've gotten in a good solid breath, let's pick back up with this blog! -What do you say!?

Things are going swell! I am back on track with school and it is going very well. Classes are (for the most part) fun, stimulating, and THEATER BASED!

Laura is in Mankato, but we still manage to chat on the phone when it is needed. Long distance relationships have ALWAYS been disasters with me. However, I feel confident, content, and happy.

Auditions for Noises Off! (My favorite show of ALL TIME) came and went. I got the part of Garry/Roger. For those of you who don't know, there is a movie version out there with Carol Burnett, John Ritter, Michael Caine, and (Believe it or not) Christopher Reeves. I am playing the John Ritter part -WHICH entitles me to speak in incomplete thoughts and fall down A LOT! I couldn't be happier OR more excited.

The end of the day gets a little lonely and boring... It's good to go home and spend some quality time with the pup, but I wish there was a bit more of a social life going on. Sadly, most of my best and closest friends are either out of state or have a REAL job... Oh well. This lack of interaction keeps me foucused and concentrated on my schooling.

Ren Fest is going well. I am not as much of a hard core festie as I used to be. After this summer I really put paychecks into perspective. However, with my last visit, I impressed a lot of the higher ups in the entertainment feild. Who knows! This could lead to actually getting paid for more performing! Even though the festival sight is on the brink of extinction.

Speaking of paid performing, I'm really starting to panic and plan twards the next summer and year. I need to get more income and SAVE!I desperately need to get out of the family house and into a place of my own. Having Tucker makes the process of finding a place a real bitch. PUN INTENDED.

Well, I'm off to lunch. I just needed to rant, vent, catch up, and write. Skoyfalls is back up to speed. More to come!

-Neal

The End of an Era

I have decided to take a summer off from Circus World.

The last week was alright and was a great transition into my new schedule. It was a tough seperation from Laura, who left for college a week early, and it was also a swift kick in the pants to start packing and bring myself back down to earth.

I had a GREAT camp ground gig with Tristan that I will write about at a later date, and the last day flew by with the greatest of ease. The drive home was alright and the unpacking and cleaning will eat up all of my free time from schoolwork this week.

I am swamped but ready for the change of pace and setting. I am back home and loving it.

My funny bones are tired and sore. I still love clowning with all my heart, but it's time to take a breath!

Until further notice--

Thanks for reading! See you in a week or so!

-Neal

(PS. PICTURES TO COME!!!)

End of the Road

First off, I have fallen INSANELY behind on my blogs. Partially due to business and also from a lack of ambition to do anything.
To cut to the bone of this blog… I have gotten terribly burned out. It has gotten to the point where I am bringing it into the ring. I have never been this burnt out before and frankly it frightens and depresses me. What do you do when you lose interest in the one thing that you’ve loved your whole life -that you’ve poured your whole heart and soul into. It is definitely time to go back to school. Yes, I was tired at this point last year, but this year I’ve become burnt out. I do tend to get restless and irritable when stuck doing the same thing for a long period of time (Who doesn’t!?) but this is disheartening. I’ve been coming closer and closer to the conclusion that I shouldn’t return for next summer to Circus World. It’s a tough schedule and the fact that little changes around this museum could also account for my feelings of being trapped etc. There has to be more out there… We shall see. This whole ball of stress and emotions has been taking up most of my time from the last blog until now.
Baraboo National Bank Day was a hit. I barely reaped any benefits from the face painting booth, however, as I was unable to man it during the tight schedule that day. The Second Buffalo Phil’s date was a success and I got video of my “Captain Willy DeWitt” character. Prior to that, we had a campground date which was great practice and great show -DESPITE THE EXTREME HEAT AND HUMIDITY! The road trip was great -being able to hang out, talk, and vent with Tristan. He really has grown to be a great friend and even a slight performance mentor. I finally caught up with the DeSantos and helped out a bit with their Youth Circus Camp. It was a great experience and I continue to hold them on their pedestal of awesomeness. My best friend, Gilby, came through and brightened the road a little bit -and Toto Johnson also visited TWICE! Once with Ringling great and now Disney/MGM physical comedian all star -Brian Weckerly, the second time he came through with a buddy of his from Iowa.
I’m almost home and I still have a handful of visitors coming. I’m starting to pack and send home some of my crap, and starting to plan for the last week -as Laura will be gone and attending her first week at MSU-Mankato. The road ahead is rocky, and I am a weary traveler with motion sickness. More to come (Hopefully) stay tuned and thank you for your patients and understanding. This was a good and healthy vent.

More Photos!

We have here...

-A groundhog that I trapped in the hippodrome bathroom

-Me cleaning out a wardrobe wagon before helping fill it and load it out for the Great Circus Parade. GOOD TIMES!

-An awesome shot of me chilling out before the parade.

-Laura and I after the parade...